GDT: Avoiding the Sweep on Patriots' Marathon Robinson Day

The game time checks in early at 11:05 this morning in the Patriots' Day feature, Tampa Bay's third in four years. The Rays are finishing their three game series hurting for runs, having scored only once in the last two games, and over six games removed from a homerun.

"Physiologically for the team itself, we got to hit the ball just to really pick everybody’s spirits up," Maddon told Roger Mooney after yesterday's loss. "When you’re not hitting the ball totally you get that bad vibe among the group. It’s really hard to keep them pushing and moving and motivated, but we’ll start hitting the ball. That’s the only thing right now, we’re not making hard contact."

Jeremy Hellickson will face off against Ryan Dempster, who has shown a tendency for walks, strikeouts, and home runs in his first two starts this year. Hey, the Rays are good at two of those things!

Dempster has also had issues with his velocity, judging by Fangraphs, not dissimilar to his start in 2012. Perhaps that will be something this Rays lineup can capitalize on.

Per Longoria's request, he'll be batting third again -- which thankfully means we'll have Zobrist batting second.

RAYS LINEUP: Jennings CF, Zobrist RF, Longoria 3B, Joyce LF, Roberts 2B, Loney 1B, Escobar SS, Lobaton C, Johnson DH

RED SOX LINEUP: Ellsbury CF, Victorino RF, Pedroia 2B, Napoli 1B, Salty C, Middlebrooks 3B, Drew SS, Gomes DH :(, Bradley Jr. LF